1. Social Security & SSI Benefits for Children

2. The Social Security Administration manages two distinctly different programs that provide benefits based on disability or blindness SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) SSI (Supplemental Security Income) SSI (Supplemental Security Income)

3. Social Security (SSDI) Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) provides benefits to disabled or blind individuals who are "insured" by workers' contributions to the Social Security Trust Fund. These contributions, required by the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) are based on your earnings, or those of your spouse or your parents. Title II of the Social Security Act authorizes SSDI benefits.

4. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program makes cash assistance payments to aged, blind, and disabled individuals (including children under age 18) who have limited income and resources. The Federal Government funds SSI from general tax revenues.

5. SOME FACTS ABOUT SOCIAL SECURITY: Children may receive benefits on a parent’s Social Security record if the parent is deceased or on Social Security Children may receive benefits on a parent’s Social Security record if the parent is deceased or on Social Security These benefits end at age 18 (age 19 if still in high school) These benefits end at age 18 (age 19 if still in high school) Adult children may receive benefits on a parent’s record if they were disabled prior to age 22. Adult children may receive benefits on a parent’s record if they were disabled prior to age 22. The minimum work required for an individual to draw Social Security on his or her own record is reduced for individuals disabled prior to age 31. The minimum work required for an individual to draw Social Security on his or her own record is reduced for individuals disabled prior to age 31.

6. SSI Basic Eligibility Requirements Age 65 or older, blind, or disabled; Age 65 or older, blind, or disabled; Reside in one of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, or the Northern Mariana Islands, except for a child of military parents assigned to permanent duty anywhere outside the United States. Reside in one of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, or the Northern Mariana Islands, except for a child of military parents assigned to permanent duty anywhere outside the United States.

7. SSI Basic Eligibility Requirements U.S. Citizen or an alien who meets the applicable requirements as follows: U.S. Citizen or an alien who meets the applicable requirements as follows: for benefits payable before August 22, 1996, the alien must be lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the U.S. or permanently residing in the U.S. under color of law. for benefits payable before August 22, 1996, the alien must be lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the U.S. or permanently residing in the U.S. under color of law. for benefits payable beginning August 22, 1996, the alien must meet stricter alien status requirements. Contact your local Social Security office. for benefits payable beginning August 22, 1996, the alien must meet stricter alien status requirements. Contact your local Social Security office.

8. SSI Basic Eligibility Requirements Have income and resources within specified limits; and Have income and resources within specified limits; and File an application. File an application.

9. DEFINITION OF DISABILITY FOR CHILDREN: The child must have a physical or mental condition that very seriously limits his or her activities; and The child must have a physical or mental condition that very seriously limits his or her activities; and The child must not be substantially gainfully employed ($900 per month in 2007) The child must not be substantially gainfully employed ($900 per month in 2007) The condition must have lasted, or be expected to last, at least 1 year or result in death. The condition must have lasted, or be expected to last, at least 1 year or result in death.

10. DEFINITION OF DISABILITY FOR ADULTS: You must not be substantially gainfully employed ($900 per month in 2007) You must not be substantially gainfully employed ($900 per month in 2007) You must be unable to do any substantial work because of your medical condition; and You must be unable to do any substantial work because of your medical condition; and Your medical condition must have lasted, or be expected to last, at least 1 year, or be expected to result in your death. Your medical condition must have lasted, or be expected to last, at least 1 year, or be expected to result in your death.

11. ADDITIONAL NOTES ON DISABILITY: All children who receive SSI benefits must re-qualify following adult disability guidelines upon attaining age 18. All children who receive SSI benefits must re-qualify following adult disability guidelines upon attaining age 18. Periodic medical reviews are conducted for all people who receive SSI payments based on disability. Periodic medical reviews are conducted for all people who receive SSI payments based on disability.

12. Whose Income Do We Consider?

13. CHILDREN: For children we consider any income received for the child (i.e. child support, child’s share of a Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) grant, etc.) For children we consider any income received for the child (i.e. child support, child’s share of a Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) grant, etc.) We also consider the income of parents or stepparents living in the same household as the child. This concept is referred to as “deeming”. We also consider the income of parents or stepparents living in the same household as the child. This concept is referred to as “deeming”.

14. ADULTS: For adults we consider any income received by the individual. For adults we consider any income received by the individual. We also deem income received by the individual’s legal or “holding out” spouse. We also deem income received by the individual’s legal or “holding out” spouse.

15. INCOME IS DIVIDED INTO TWO BROAD CATEGORIES: EARNED EARNED UNEARNED UNEARNED

16. EARNED: The two most common types of earned income are wages and net earnings from self-employment. The two most common types of earned income are wages and net earnings from self-employment. The first $65 a month in earned income is excluded, as well as half the amount over $65. The first $65 a month in earned income is excluded, as well as half the amount over $65.

17. UNEARNED: The are many different types of unearned income such as Social Security benefits, unemployment benefits, VA benefits, pensions, child support, and so on. The are many different types of unearned income such as Social Security benefits, unemployment benefits, VA benefits, pensions, child support, and so on. The first $20 a month of most types of unearned income is excluded. The first $20 a month of most types of unearned income is excluded. In addition to this $20, an additional 1/3 of child support is excluded for children who are under age 18 or under age 22 and regularly attending school. In addition to this $20, an additional 1/3 of child support is excluded for children who are under age 18 or under age 22 and regularly attending school.

18. Additional factors considered in deeming of parental income: Allocation given for ineligible children in the household Allocation given for ineligible children in the household Income reduced for court-ordered child support being paid by parent Income reduced for court-ordered child support being paid by parent Gross wages are reduced by cafeteria plan benefits as defined under section 125 of the Internal Revenue Code. Gross wages are reduced by cafeteria plan benefits as defined under section 125 of the Internal Revenue Code.

19. RESOURCES Just as with income, we consider resources owned by the individual and also deem resources owned by parents until the child reaches age 18

20. Resource Limits: Individual: $2000 Individual: $2000 Married couple or combined parents: $3000 Married couple or combined parents: $3000 If parents’ countable resources exceed $3000, the excess is applied toward the child’s own $2000 limit. If parents’ countable resources exceed $3000, the excess is applied toward the child’s own $2000 limit.

21. Commonly Excluded Resources: Home serving as principal place of residence Home serving as principal place of residence One vehicle used for transportation One vehicle used for transportation Most life insurance policies Most life insurance policies Burial space or plot held for individual or immediate family Burial space or plot held for individual or immediate family Certain prepaid burial contracts Certain prepaid burial contracts Household goods and personal effects Household goods and personal effects Property used in a trade or business Property used in a trade or business

22. LIVING ARRANGEMENTS SSI payments can vary depending on the person’s living arrangement.

23. Some Issues We Consider: Institutionalization Institutionalization Who has rental liability or home ownership Who has rental liability or home ownership How bills are being paid within the household How bills are being paid within the household Assistance from outside the household in paying bills Assistance from outside the household in paying bills A child’s living arrangement status is always re- evaluated upon attainment of age 18. A child’s living arrangement status is always re- evaluated upon attainment of age 18.

24. HOW TO APPLY FOR SSI BENEFITS: An application may be filed in person or by telephone. An application may be filed in person or by telephone. You may schedule an appointment in advance by calling 1-800-772-1213 (some smaller offices require appointments) You may schedule an appointment in advance by calling 1-800-772-1213 (some smaller offices require appointments) SSI benefits cannot be paid for periods prior to contacting SSA with your intent to file. SSI benefits cannot be paid for periods prior to contacting SSA with your intent to file. SSA will obtain medical records for you. Do not delay filing so you can obtain records. SSA will obtain medical records for you. Do not delay filing so you can obtain records.

25. HOW TO APPLY FOR SSI BENEFITS: In most instances a legally competent adult must file his or her own application. With the individual’s consent, a parent or some other party may be present to assist the individual. In most instances a legally competent adult must file his or her own application. With the individual’s consent, a parent or some other party may be present to assist the individual. If SSA determines an individual to be incapable, payment may be made through a representative payee. If SSA determines an individual to be incapable, payment may be made through a representative payee.

26. HOW TO APPLY FOR SSI BENEFITS: The medical portion of your claim may be filed online by going to one of the following sites: (Note: Only the medical part of the application is available online. It is still necessary to complete the non-medical portion of the application either by phone or in person with an SSA representative.) The medical portion of your claim may be filed online by going to one of the following sites: www.socialsecurity.gov/adultdisabilityreport or www.socialsecurity.gov/childdisabilityreport (Note: Only the medical part of the application is available online. It is still necessary to complete the non-medical portion of the application either by phone or in person with an SSA representative.) www.socialsecurity.gov/adultdisabilityreport www.socialsecurity.gov/childdisabilityreport

27. PROCESSING OF YOUR CLAIM: The medical portion of your claim will be processed by the state Disability Determination Service. The non-medical portion of your claim will be processed by the Social Security Office where you filed. The medical portion of your claim will be processed by the state Disability Determination Service. The non-medical portion of your claim will be processed by the Social Security Office where you filed. The disability office will obtain records from your treating sources. You may also be asked to go for an evaluation with one or more independent doctors. The disability office will obtain records from your treating sources. You may also be asked to go for an evaluation with one or more independent doctors. Should your claim be denied, the notice will explain your appeal rights. It is important to note that appeals must be filed in writing within 60 days. A phone call does not protect your right to appeal. Should your claim be denied, the notice will explain your appeal rights. It is important to note that appeals must be filed in writing within 60 days. A phone call does not protect your right to appeal.

28. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING SSI WORK INCENTIVES: Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) is only an issue when initially filing. Once receiving payments, we just consider the income from earnings. Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) is only an issue when initially filing. Once receiving payments, we just consider the income from earnings. If your SSI payments stop solely because of earnings and you meet certain criteria regarding Medicaid use, we are usually able to keep your SSI record active indefinitely (i.e. no need to refile if you stop work) If your SSI payments stop solely because of earnings and you meet certain criteria regarding Medicaid use, we are usually able to keep your SSI record active indefinitely (i.e. no need to refile if you stop work)

29. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING SSI WORK INCENTIVES: If your SSI eligibility does terminate due to work and you become unable to work again within 60 months due to the same condition, your benefits may be restarted without filing a new application. This is called Expedited Reinstatement. If your SSI eligibility does terminate due to work and you become unable to work again within 60 months due to the same condition, your benefits may be restarted without filing a new application. This is called Expedited Reinstatement. Student Earned Income Exclusion $1510 monthly (Maximum $6100 yearly) Student Earned Income Exclusion $1510 monthly (Maximum $6100 yearly)

30. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING SSI WORK INCENTIVES: Impairment Related Work Incentives (IRWE) Impairment Related Work Incentives (IRWE) Plans for Achieving Self Support (PASS) Plans for Achieving Self Support (PASS) Remember, in all instances SSI always counts less than half of your gross earnings. Remember, in all instances SSI always counts less than half of your gross earnings.

31. For Additional Information: Visit www.ssa.gov www.ssa.gov Or Call 1-800-772-1213